The 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally is ready to mark one other milestone for girls in African motorsport, with a document variety of feminine rivals anticipated to participate on this yr's occasion.
The rally will function 4 feminine drivers, up from only one in 2025, and 6 feminine co-drivers, in comparison with 4 in final yr's version.
The rising feminine illustration displays the regular progress being made in a self-discipline historically dominated by males, with rivals from Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya set to contest the FIA African Rally Championship (ARC) spherical in Bugesera from July 10 to 12.
Among the many girls behind the wheel are Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, Uganda's two-time nationwide rally champion Susan Muwonge, Kenya's Tinashe Gatimu, and Lisa Christoffersen, founding father of Africa's first all-women rally workforce.
Supporting them from the navigator's seat are Christabell Mwangi, Caroline Gatimu, Aurore Mutesi Kayibanda, Arielle Gahigi, Sandrine Isheja, and Jessica (Jess) Mugabo, underlining the more and more vital position girls are enjoying throughout each side of rally competitors.
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For Rwanda's Queen Kalimpinya, the rising variety of girls on the entry listing is among the largest victories of this yr's rally.
“It's one thing to have fun. The variety of girls collaborating reveals how a lot rallying is rising in Rwanda,” Kalimpinya stated forward of the occasion, the place she may also be aiming to retain the Greatest Feminine Driver award.
Contemporary from successful the ARC2 class on the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally, Kalimpinya believes the rising feminine participation displays the progress being made in motorsport throughout the area.
Amongst these making their Mountain Gorilla Rally debut is Uganda's Susan Muwonge, a two-time nationwide rally champion and the one lady to have gained the Ugandan Nationwide Rally Championship.
For Muwonge, competing in Rwanda represents one other vital step in her profession.
“It’s a nice honour and privilege to compete within the 2026 Mountain Gorilla Rally. Rwanda has turn out to be one of the vital thrilling motorsport locations within the area, and I’m grateful for the chance to signify Uganda on such a aggressive stage,” she stated.
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Muwonge, who might be navigated by Nsubuga Musa, stated her major purpose extends past chasing a podium end.
“My goal is to complete the rally safely, carry out persistently and provides my absolute best. Each rally is a studying expertise, and I hope to enhance my tempo whereas attaining a decent outcome.”
Though it will likely be her first aggressive look in Rwanda, she has already heard lots in regards to the occasion.
“I've heard nice issues in regards to the Mountain Gorilla Rally—the difficult phases, glorious organisation and the unbelievable ardour of the Rwandan motorsport followers.”
She additionally hopes her participation will encourage extra girls and women to pursue careers in motorsport.
“Competing alongside a few of Africa's high drivers reveals that ladies can compete efficiently in motorsport. I hope my participation evokes extra women and girls to consider in themselves and pursue their desires.”
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Driving for change
Christoffersen arrives in Rwanda with ambitions that go far past the competitors.
In 2022, she co-founded The Lioness Rally Staff—Africa's first all-women Safari Rally crew—alongside co-driver Christabell Mwangi.
For Christoffersen, each rally is a chance to problem stereotypes and encourage change.
“We drive for change. Each rally we race is a metaphor for all times's journey—stuffed with twists, turns and obstacles that demand focus, teamwork and religion in your personal energy,” she stated.
The workforce's impression extends past motorsport.
On their journey to Rwanda, the Lioness Rally Staff will cease in Uganda to go to an underprivileged women' faculty, the place they’ll mentor college students and encourage them to pursue their ambitions.
“This journey isn’t just about motorsport. It’s about rewriting narratives for girls and women throughout Africa. In fact I wish to compete for good outcomes, however I’m equally dedicated to that larger goal.”
She believes investing in girls in motorsport is finally an funding in future generations.
“When girls rise, communities thrive.”
Victory past the rostrum
Whereas the battle for championship factors is predicted to dominate the headlines, the document feminine participation provides one other compelling dimension to this yr's Mountain Gorilla Rally.
From established rivals like Queen Kalimpinya and Susan Muwonge to trailblazing initiatives such because the Lioness Rally Staff, the occasion highlights the rising affect of ladies in shaping the way forward for African motorsport
